Lujan Grisham Introduces HEAL Immigrant Women and Families Act of 2014

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) today introduced the Health Equity and Access under the Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Women and Families Act of 2014, which would ensure that lawfully present immigrants have access to Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and tax credits provided through the Affordable Care Act.

"This legislation would correct the harmful restrictions that have been placed on legal immigrants' ability to access affordable health insurance coverage," Rep. Lujan Grisham said. "Limiting access to healthcare has a profound negative impact on families, communities and the nation as a whole and it must be corrected. These immigrants are hardworking taxpayers who deserve to be treated fairly under the system they pay into."

Although they pay taxes, more than 600,000 legal permanent residents are restricted from receiving federal healthcare benefits. This lack of access leads to more visits to emergency rooms, where immigrants are forced to pay as much as $1,200 to treat common ailments like the flu and upper respiratory infections.

Rep. Lujan Grisham's bill will guarantee that the more than 4,000 individuals in New Mexico, and 600,000 nationwide who have been granted status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, who work hard, pay taxes and contribute to our economy, will be treated fairly by the health care system they are paying into.

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